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Post by Zeniro on Mar 13, 2009 18:38:25 GMT 1
A cool breeze rippled through the branches of the trees creating a soft rustling that filled the hush of the surrounding wilderness. Deep in the heart of the wood land was a clearing, the clearing wasn't easily accessible...no foot paths, not even a beaten track. Those who came here often stumbled across it and for some it was the perfect place to find solitude and train. One of those few stood there now, his upper torso bare and prickled with sweat. Powerful shoulders heaved with movement as Zeniro took in a few deep breaths. His lower torso was clad solely in khaki cargo pants and worn leather military boots.
Staring above him Zeniro eyed the low hanging branch, wrapping his strong hands around the thick branch he adjusted them to a shoulders width apart. Closing his eyes he cross his ankles one over the other and bent his legs at the knee until he was dangling freely from the branch. Then as he inhaled slowly he started his chin up routine once more, making sure that his technique was slow and steady pulling his chest toward the branch whilst drawing his shoulder blades together then decending again, making sure not to lock his arms out at the bottom.
Rather than keeping a tally in his head Zeniro simply continued his set of chin ups until the burning sensation of the lactic acid build up became unbearable. Then with gritted teeth and heavy breath he would release himself from the branch, his hands massaging his fore-arms and biceps as he attempted to remove the feeling of cramp. Once his breath began to steady he simply sat on the ground with his legs crossed his arms resting comfortably on his knees, his dark eyes searching the surrounding tree line while he prepared himself for his next exercise.
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J.T.
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I'm What Willis Was Talkin Bout
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Post by J.T. on Mar 14, 2009 15:02:34 GMT 1
The scent of the fresh pines filled Joey's nostrils as he made his way through the forest. He was wearing a tank top, armband, basketball shorts, and sneakers- all in black. He had been making a point of taking different paths on his jogs. Though he had been here many times in the past, he hadn't tried to commit the paths in this labyrinth to memory until a couple weeks ago. By now he had already been through all of the cleared out tracks and had finally decided to divert from them, finding himself in the thick of the trees and logs before long. The jog was not much against the strong endurance he had built up over the past months that he had spent training in solitude, but he did make a note that this was certainly more difficult a route than the ones he had taken in the past.
Before long he came across a clearing. From what he knew about the size of the forest, Joey estimated that he had ended up near the center. From the silence to the empty space to the clean air, it seemed that this would be the perfect spot for the next part of his exercise. He was about to test the sturdiness of the trees, via how many times they could take his punches before collapsing, when he noticed that he wasn't the first to discover this place. There was another guy already here. Joey judged him to be about the same age and size as he was, slightly shorter but certainly not short, with tattoos riddling his body. His composure showed that he had been working out here. At one point Joey would have found this tough looking guy the most familiar company to have, but ever since his mental 180 he didn't welcome someone who made themselves this foreboding. What good would come from being an intimidation to others in the long run? He used to have an answer. But he was a different person now and was puzzled as to just what he could have possibly said to justify his old ways.
"I'm not the only one who likes to train by myself." he said to the boy, who seemed to be meditating. "You know when you'll be done here?" He expected a venomous response, but he would have to ask if he was going to get a chance to smash this place up himself.
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Post by Zeniro on Mar 15, 2009 12:46:15 GMT 1
A gentle thud, thud, thud seemed to resonate in Zeniro's mind. By this time he had ceasewd his studying of the tree's and had closed his eyes. The thud was accompanied by the odd rustle and the sound grew steadily louder. Zeniro was unsure if this was because the cause of the sound grew closer or if it was due to his sole concerntration on the sound of what he had deduced as the steady falling of footsteps. His eyes would flicker open and for a moment he squinted against the sun light that broke through the surrounding canopy in shafts of brilliant light.
Through his blurred vision he caught site of a young man now standing in the clearing facing him. Once upon a time the Maori would have immediately tensed up, his mind and body responding to the fight of the fight or flight response. However this was no longer the response, through many months of solitude Zeniro had started to piece together his fragmented mind, although still deeply scarred both physically and emotionally Zeniro was a lot more stable. This for the time being would bode well for the young man that had joined him in the clearing.
"I'm not the only one who likes to train by myself."
Zeniro offered no immediate response, instead he allowed his dark eyes to study the young man. Searching for any signs of hostility or agression. This was instinct for Zeniro and something he was sure would never leave him. Rather than reacting in a paranoid manner he made note that for now there was no immediate danger presented by the young man.
"You know when you'll be done here?"
Zeniro exhaled slowly, in the past he would have seen this as a curt turn of phrase showing a lack of respect. However Zeniro understood that to a stranger he cut an imposing figure, he also noted that his past was littered with violence and anti social acts. It was unsurprising that this young man chose not to speak to him in a friendly manner. Calming his mind Zeniro would speak to another person for the first time in months and he was determined not to lose himself to the beast that lurked constantly within the depths of his mind.
"I have been here for an hour at the most. I see myself remaining here for sometime yet...however I understand this is common land and you are entitled to use it as well."
Zeniro felt that this was a reasonable response, and for the time being fell back into silence. His dark gaze locked now on the young mans face studying him for any physical response. His own demeanour would remain a constant and methodical calm. His breathing rythmic his muscular physique quite still as he remained in his cross legged state.
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J.T.
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I'm What Willis Was Talkin Bout
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Post by J.T. on Mar 16, 2009 18:34:09 GMT 1
Immediately studying everyone they met for any signs of hostility while keeping a passive demeanor. Searching for a threat without yet revealing whether you yourself were one. Joey knew the look on the young man's face too well. It was a response that came as naturally as breathing to the hardened survivors of violent pasts. To his relief, the stranger seemed to have also come to accept peace before war. At least while in his meditative state.
"I suppose you're right." Joey replied as he headed toward one of the more formidable looking trees and pulled crepe bandage from one of his pockets. "I'm JT by the way." he added, winding the bandage around his knuckles and giving his company a glance to show he was listening for a name.
After sizing up the pillar of living timber that stood before him, he began sending strong punches straight into the center. It didn't take long at all before it cracked and collapsed before him. His punches had to be extremely well controlled in order to not break his wrists on such a hard material, but he thought it excellent training. Here he had a near endless supply of objects he did not need to hold back on, unlike the punching bags and sparring partners in the gym that were either too brittle or easily worn out if not both. He hoped the noise wouldn't bother the other boy's exercise, but figured that it wouldn't be long before he was done resting.
Knocking the second and third trees down was as easy as the first, though he noticed that his knuckles were beginning to bleed a bit. This was a regular occurrence for an exercise like this, especially when he hadn't waited more than a couple days in between sessions. He knew that it would just get worse if he continued on, but the benefit was well worth the blood toll in his eyes. Turning to make eye contact with the other young man, he nodded toward one of the nearby trees, offering him a try. This was more to guarantee a peace treaty between them as he was sure he had made meditation impossible, but he was also curious as to just how strong this guy was. He liked to reason that it is always beneficial when one gets a chance to compare themselves to others and a product of the streets like this guy seemed to be a perfect test.
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Post by Zeniro on Mar 16, 2009 20:25:35 GMT 1
Satisfied that no threat was present Zeniro allowed his eyes to close, not before he saw the young man walk towards a tree preparing his hands for the exercise to come.
"I'm JT by the way."
Although he wasn't paying much attention at the time Zeniro was able to pick up this snippet of information and he could tell via the tone of JT's words that some form of reply was required. Zeniro allowed his eyes to open and settle once more on JT who was now looking toward him.
"Zeniro Tangaroa."
Zeniro allowed the reply to hang in the air, his voice was rather matter of fact. He wanted to draw as little attention as possible to the name. For many it held only negative connotations. Inwardly Zeniro actually found himself hoping that this young man hadn't heard the name, it would be refreshing to actually hold a conversation with someone who didn't hate you or fear you. Again JT would find himself under the scrutiny of Zeniro for a mere moment before the Maori closed his eyes once more and fell back into his breathing techniques.
Oddly enough as JT began his work out on the tree's the ever present thud was far from off putting. The rythmic nature actually leant itself toward calming Zeniro's mind, the creak and snap of falling tree's did little to break Zeniro from his peaceful state. It was only when the punching stopped that Zeniro decided to open his eyes. This time they noted the bloodied knuckles of JT and the tree's that had been subject to his regime. Zeniro watched JT's gesture and noted it as an invitation to join him in his activity. Curious as to its effectiveness Zeniro lifted himself from the ground and slowly walked toward one of the trees.
For a moment he stood in silence simply flexing his powerful hands, his knuckles calloused and scarred from a life time of violence. Zeniro looked to his naked fists and then toward one of the tree's. He spread his boot clad feet to a shoulders width apart with his left foot taking the lead. His fist were raised into an orthodox boxing gaurd. Then in a blur of movement Zeniro had unleashed what appeared to be a looping over hand right, shoulders and hips torquing in unison as his weight surged forward behind the blow shifting to the balls of his toes on his left foot. The hand that had been thrown would rapidly open into a clawed palm strike inches before it struck the tree. There was an initial crack as the thick skin at the heel of Zeniro's palm struck the tree, the tree itself shuddered with the power that had just been unleashed into the bark around the impact site had splintered and showered the air around Zeniro's hand. Deep within the tree the sudden shock of the blow had caused some severe stress fractures. The roots at the base of the tree had even become loosened in the soil as Zeniro's strike was intended to push three inches into the bark itself.
Zeniro allowed his right hand to draw back into his gaurd and looked at the indentation on the tree, a series of cracks punctuating the damage that the tree had taken in the single blow. Zeniro noted that the tree itself now leaned away from him a few inches more than it had previously done only moments ago.
"A surprisingly satisfying form of training. However I feel it may be useless to continue as evidently the damage has already been done. That and I do not wish to fatigue my bones and joints. I am prepairing myself for what may be the last fight I am ever able to have."
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J.T.
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Post by J.T. on Mar 17, 2009 3:48:56 GMT 1
After so many months spent in solitude, Joey had a minute grasp of who was who around Hircine. Without any knowledge of this person, Joey didn't process the name as anything more than something to call his new acquaintance. He was unsurprised by Zeniro's impressive show of strength. The two seemed to about on par with each other in brawn, though it was obvious that neither of them were really putting their all into the exercise.
He looked over at Zeniro as he heard about a fight that could potentially claim his life. While Joey trained for himself, Zeniro trained for an actual fight. This would obviously call for a much different type of training. Plowing down still objects was a far cry from what one would need if he were preparing for a real life situation. It didn't lend much to mental discipline other than mind over matter, which any real fighter already has mastered anyway, and isn't a help when going against someone who would be active.
"Sounds like you may be in over your head. Trouble with the wrong people?" he asked, letting a not-so-forgotten devious side of himself slip to show that he knew what being in a tough spot was like while still making light of it. It seemed that there was much more to this Zeniro than met the eye. The fact that he preferred to train in solitude combined with the almost elegant way in which he spoke made it easy to see that he was no ordinary product of the streets. Joey felt something inside, urging him to offer to help with whatever was so dangerous in this person's life. He was sure that the assistance of someone like him could only do good for his situation. But he couldn't. He needed to stay out of trouble or this hardened life would follow him forever. But on the same coin if he never helped anyone than he could never fully redeem himself. His mind was busy weighing what was right in this situation, despite how brief their conversation had been so far, as he slowly leaned against a tree and silently awaited a response.
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Post by Zeniro on Mar 28, 2009 15:05:42 GMT 1
(00C: Appologies. I am back.)
"Sounds like you may be in over your head. Trouble with the wrong people?"
Zeniro raised an eyebrow as he pondered the words spoken by J.T. his head would shake, ruffling his mid lenth scruffy black hair. Then he smiled, revealing uncannily sharp canine teeth. His dark gaze would raise to meet J.T's and then he would speak.
"In the past I have been, but that is behind me. This is an old...I would say vendetta, but that isn't the right word. I simply owe one young man the fight of his life, our paths have crossed many times and now one of those roads is due to come to an end."
Zeniro's tone was soft as he spoke these words, as if he was reflecting on what was and what will be. He looked to his fist for a moment and flexed the fingers. Noticing the numb pain that built up around the small cuts on his knuckles where the thick skin had broken due to the force of the impact. One of the cuts weeped a little blood and Zeniro brought the fist to his lips and lapped at the small trickle of blood with his tongue. The metallic taste in his mouth was a familiar one. He let out a slight sigh and allowed the hand to hang loosely at his side. His tongue momentarily licking at his lips before he chose to speak again.
"Once this is behind me...all loose ends shall be tied up and I can start fresh."
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